A new framework has been established to improve the treatment and care of dementia patients within Australia’s aged care facilities. Developed by researchers at the University of Queensland, these guidelines are the result of consultations with various stakeholders, including health care professionals, aged care providers, and individuals living with dementia.
According to Professor Tracy Comans from UQ’s Centre for Health Services Research, approximately 50 percent of residents in aged care facilities across Australia have some form of dementia. Despite this significant statistic, there remains a notable gap in the data related to four critical aspects of dementia care: dignity, pain management, hygiene, and meaningful activities.
“We’re not actually measuring the things that are important to people living with dementia and their carers,” stated Professor Comans. She emphasized that the recommendations aim to establish essential metrics to evaluate whether quality care is being delivered effectively.
Understanding the challenges faced by individuals with dementia is crucial for enhancing treatment. Many patients experience a lack of continuity in care due to high staff turnover in the aged care sector. Additionally, staff often lack specific training to address the complex needs of dementia patients, leading to communication breakdowns and inadequate care.
“Even though people may have lost some capacity, it’s still really important that they’re treated with respect and understanding,” remarked Professor Comans. She pointed out that individuals with dementia frequently receive insufficient pain management because they struggle to articulate or localize the pain they experience.
“People with dementia are often given much less pain medication than those without the condition, which can lead to other behavioral issues,” she added. The newly proposed guidelines are designed to assist in policy development and help aged care providers review their current practices.
These recommendations come in light of findings from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, which identified dementia as the leading cause of death in the country. In 2023, one in ten Australians succumbed to some form of dementia, with the most prevalent types being Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Notably, dementia is the leading cause of death for women in Australia and ranks as the second leading cause for men after heart disease.
While dementia is not an inevitable consequence of aging, the risk of developing the condition increases with age. With an ageing population, projections indicate that over one million Australians will be living with dementia by 2065. As the country prepares for this demographic shift, the implementation of these guidelines could play a vital role in enhancing the quality of care for individuals living with dementia in Australia.
